Teresa of the Faint Smile, Adventures of a Stringy Bosmer Options

[hazmick]

Woah there! Just calm yourself young Bosmer! I reckon that instead of gathering an army at the battle of Bruma, the empire should have made Teresa get into a rage. She would be a match for Dagon himself!

I also like Pappy, he's just trying to do his job and then an angry daedroth Bosmer walks in and nearly socks him in the face--but he's prepared to take it like a man. Bravo!

I recognise that orc from somewhere, he resembles an odd Orsimer nobleman who features in a later fighters guild quest. Am I right? or have I got the wrong end of the bow stave?

This post has been edited by hazmick: Jan 3 2011, 12:17 PM

[SubRosa]

mALX: I feel sorry for Pappy too, more than I do for Teresa! My orcs are modded with Cute Orc Head Replacer, which de-pigs them.


Thomas Kaira: Not chemistry. just a woman with anger-management issues, and the poor sap who got in her way.


Jacki Dice: Awww, I am glad Vols and Brekke touched a chord in you. I always enjoy writing them, because she brings out the better parts of Vols.

Quite right about men. Those are the good parts, and its all downhill from there!


Olen: Teresa is not really a master of alchemy. I just dispensed with the needing two ingredients to make a potion a while ago. It is simpler just using one all around.


Acadian: Now that is a great poem! You gave me more than a faint smile with that!

You know I thought about using the "F" word when I was doing my revisions for that piece a little while ago. But Teresa is not as smooth and self-confident as someone like Athynae or Buffy. At least not yet. Give her time, and she will get there however!


hazmick: Teresa's fury is something else indeed. Pappy on the other hand, is using to people being furious at him! So he knows how to deal with it.

That orc is not from anywhere in the game. He is 100% original. We will be seeing more of him in the near future.


Next: Our last chapter saw Teresa arrive at Bravil and meet several new people before trying out for the Fighters Guild. Losing her temper when she learned she had to wait two weeks before she could join, she stormed out of the guild with tears in her eyes. Next, she runs back into one of those people she met before, and gains a little perspective.


Chapter 27.1 –The Lucky Lady

24th - 25th Last Seed, 3E433

Teresa wiped the tears from her eyes and looked up to find that she was standing before the statue of the Lucky Old Lady. Why was she crying? She did not feel sad. She had been so furious just a few minutes before. How could her emotions go from one such extreme to another?

As she looked on, one of the city guardsmen walked past her and stepped right up to the statue. Leaning forward, he pressed his lips to the bronze of her skirt in a kiss. Then he smiled up at the statue's face high above and walked away. Teresa forgot all about her tears and the trembling in her limbs as she stared after him.

Screenshot

"See, everyone knows about the Lady!" The thin voice of Aia made Teresa start. Wiping her eyes once more, the wood elf turned to see the beggar was standing behind her.

"Oh goodness, dearie what's wrong?" The old woman's voice dropped to a somber tone as she saw Teresa's eyes, which the wood elf imagined were red and puffy from tears. "What did that man say to you? Run you out did he, like all the others?"

"What?" Teresa stammered, wondering how the beggar knew. "I don't know…"

"That Vitellus, a hard one he is," Aia said with a reproachful sound in her voice. The old woman raised a trembling arm to brush Teresa's fiery locks from her face. "Near a dozen young ones like you gone into that guild of his looking for work, and turned them all away he has. Don't you feel bad 'cause of him young lady, there ain't no pleasing that one."

"Really?" Teresa said, thinking back to the rigors that Pappy had put her through. "What does he tell people he doesn't want? Does he say to come back later?"

"Oh no!" Aia exclaimed. "Tells them right out they ain't good enough for 'em he does. A lot of them was right big fellas too, and turns them away he does."

"Oh," Teresa murmured. Then maybe the guild commander had been telling the truth after all? She could not understand why he would offer to train her for free. Yet when he had said to come back in two weeks she had known deep down in the pit of her stomach that he was lying to her. She was just a prole, the lowest of all plebeians. How could she ever be good enough to be part of a guild? He had just told her that to make her go away, had he not? She had felt so certain of it, how could she have been wrong?

"Is that what he told you did he?" Aia asked, "not good enough for 'em you was?"

"No," Teresa replied, "that's not what he said at all." The tremble in her limbs was gone now, as was the urge to cry. Suddenly she was intensely aware of how bright the sun was overhead, warming her skin with its kind embrace. Now her ears noticed the gentle tones of birds singing and the laughter of children playing. Her eyes saw the green leaves of the trees rustling overhead, and the pale blue of the clear sky beyond. Somehow the world seemed right again.

"Was it the evenin' he was invitin' you out to then?" Aia winked. "One for the ladies, that one is! Got a new one on his arm every week he does."

"No, not that either," Teresa shook her head. "I am sure I am too stringy, that is what everyone says."

"Oh the prettiest little thing ever you are!" Aia exclaimed with a smile, even though she was shorter than the wood elf. "And don't let anyone tell you different. Exotic you is with that pale skin. Men like that you know…"

Teresa had to stifle the urge to laugh. Exotic was the last word she would ever use to describe herself. Looking up at the statue, she suddenly felt the urge to lean forward and kiss it herself.

"Have you ever kissed the Lady?" she asked.

"This morning did I," Aia said, continuing to grin, "and look how my luck's been so far!"

Teresa did smile faintly then. That was enough for her. Stepping forward, she pressed her lips against the cool metal of the Lucky Lady's skirt. She was not sure what she was expecting to feel, but nothing happened when she did, nothing dramatic at least. Not that she knew how it felt to be lucky in the first place.

"Now there you go my Teresa!" Aia said, "about to change, your luck is!"

* * *

Teresa set down her mortar and pestle on the small table by her bed. Rows of potion bottles now covered it, filled with liquids of numerous colors. Looking down at her bag of ingredients, which was still packed tightly with supplies, she realized that she would need more bottles. A lot more. She had used up all that she had, and barely made a dent in the store of alchemical supplies she had gathered on her trip from the Imperial City. She would be making potions for days.

Her stomach growled as she stared at the potions. She wondered how long she had been working as she rose and washed her hands in the basin across the room from the bed. It had been enough time for the light of Magnus grow dim through her window, and as she glanced outside she saw that the fiery orb had begun to slide under the mountains west of the city.

Taking a moment to dry her hands, Teresa stared down at herself. She was still wearing her leather armor, but now at least it was clean of dust and dirt. That had been the first thing she had seen to after paying for her room. The way her first suit of armor had dried and cracked had taught her the importance of properly cleaning the leather with saddle soap and oiling it afterward.

Still, she wished she had something other than armor to wear. She had left her other clothes with Simplicia at Jensine's shop. It had not seemed important enough to carry them along with her all the way to Bravil. Now she longed for the soft feel of fine linen against her skin.

Well, there was nothing to do but buy new clothes tomorrow, she resolved with a faint smile. Just as soon as she sold some of her potions to pay for them. The room had cost nearly the last of her money. She knew that she could always make a withdrawal from the Temple of Zenithar. But that was for saving, she thought, not spending. Likewise, she could have gone to one of the cheaper inns, but she had not liked the look of them. They seemed too seedy, even for her. Silverhome On The Water, on the other hand, was very inviting with its clean furnishings, bright flowers, and the smell of freshly-cooked bread filling the common area.

She stopped to look at herself in the mirror over the washbasin and fussed with her hair. Once more her scarlet-dyed tresses had gotten out of place. She really ought to cut it shorter, but she liked how she looked with it long and swept across her forehead. Patiently working in some of the lavender-scented gel Nerussa had taught her to make to hold it in place, she worked at it with her comb and eventually put most of the locks back where they belonged.

Her stomach growled again, reminding her that some things were more important than her appearance. Wasting not another minute, she was out the door of her room and down the stairs to the common area of the inn. Even though it was a modest-sized chamber, she found it was filled with people. Most were dressed in fine linens, and several wore velvet and silk. No one wore the flax or sack cloth of the poor. Nor did anyone wear armor, except for her of course.

An Orisimer waving his hand in the air caught her eye. Looking at him more closely, she recognized him as the same man she had passed in the lobby of the Fighters Guild when she had stormed out early in the afternoon. He was still dressed in the same blue velvet clothing he had been wearing then, and his face lit up with a smile as he beckoned her to his table.

Screenshot

"I would be honored if you would join me, my fair lady," he said as she approached, gesturing to the empty chairs at his table. His voice was deep. But rather than the gruff tones she was used to hearing from orcs, his speech was measured and smooth, like the sound of a musical instrument. "I am Ancondil, and as you can see I have plenty of room. I would consider it my privilege to share your company."

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jan 23 2011, 05:04 AM

[Olen]

Good part. I'd wondered if Teresa might feel something awry when she went to the 'Lucky Old Lady' from her being in touch with thing more than the average Bravil denisen. Apparently it's better hidden than that.

I'm enjoying Bravil very much, I always thought that place was a damp, dingy deadend full of addicts and people hoping to leave before their house falls down around them, but your version is better. It also makes better sense bacuse it's so well situated for trade some people are going to get rich regardless of the count's ineptitude. I'm quickly reforming my imagining of it to match the one here

There's more development of Teresa I notice, she now has a better idea of just how good she is if Pappy has turned down so many, and she doesn't go to the cheapest inns as I'm sure she would have. Next she'll be buying vintage wine It really is impressive that you have so much character development still going after so many parts (any idea how many words? lots anyway), it just keeps happening and is what makes this piece so good to read.

Now this Ancondil person has my interest piqued...

On a less related note: Acadian - I loved the poem

This post has been edited by Olen: Jan 4 2011, 07:30 PM

[Acadian]

So nice to calm down a bit after getting so riled up from having her stones checked!

'The old woman raised a trembling arm to brush Teresa's fiery locks from her face.
This is simply beautiful, and says so very much, so efficiently!

You did a great job of using Aia to provide some meaning to what Pappy was doing. It was great to watch the realization dawn on our wood elf! To see her tears dry, the birds chirp and the sun warm her skin.

"Now there you go my Teresa!" Aia said, "about to change, your luck is!"
I love the manner of speech you have given Aia, and this is only one example. It is so perfect for her, from her 'ain'ts' to flipping her words around like Yoda. Wonderful!

'Well, there was nothing to do but buy new clothes tomorrow, she resolved with a faint smile.'
What else does she need to know? The secret of life, right there! Even better than knowing how to use the 'fine' word!

I recall Ancondil so clearly from 1.0. It is such a delight to see him return. I really look forward to dinner with him.

[Jacki Dice]

I second Acadian's thoughts on the way you made Aia speak. I always hear Angela Lansbury in Sweeny Tood when I imagine it

Speaking of imaginations, this made me think of Simplicia and Teresa.

[Grits]

I looked up Baa Baa Black Sheep, and soon the first disc should be on its way, yay. I also went back and read The Battle of Bruma in one sitting, what a powerful chapter! I remembered Pappy, but I had forgotten that Vincent was there. Also I have a much clearer vision of Tadrose now, thanks to the refresher.

I wonder how Theresa will handle her next meeting with Pappy. I expect he is familiar with the sight of an angry female storming away from him. I am warming up to Bravil, and I am curious about this handsome-voiced orc with the melodious name!

[SubRosa]

Olen: I am just ignoring the whole Night Mother's lair underneath the statue. I never liked the idea of it being there to begin with. Funny you mention that about wine though, because within a day (and probably over a dozen more posts), Teresa will indeed by buying some!


Acadian: Aia is a fun character to write, although her speech patterns are difficult.


Jacki Dice: Ooh that nearly made me cry! Thank you Jacki. It was indeed perfect. I usually think of Ayumi Hamasaki's song Who when it comes to how Teresa thinks of Simplicia (the original from the Loveppears album, not the remake of it). This one is perfect to show the opposite!


Grits: Pappy is indeed accustomed to dealing with angry females! We will be seeing plenty more of Ancondil from here on out. He is one of my favorite characters in the Bravil FG.


Next: In our previous episode Teresa's rage cooled off, and a conversation with Aia made her look at her experience in the Fighters Guild in an entirely new light. Finally she was offered an invitation to dine by a mysterious Orisimer later that afternoon. Next, she learns more about this interesting orc with an elvish name.


Chapter 27.2 –The Lucky Lady

"Oh my, thank you. That is very generous." Teresa allowed the ghost of a smile to cross her lips as she sat across the table from the other mer. Starting at his ears, a mane of raven-black hair grew down from around his head. Above that the green dome of his skull was shaven clean, except for a long ponytail that rose from the back of his scalp and fell past his shoulders. A book and a glass of brandy sat beside the orc's hand. In front of him was a half-eaten plate of roast lamb covered in gravy, with potatoes ladled with sour cream and chives on the side. The sight of the latter made the wood elf's stomach rumble once more. "My name is Teresa."

"It is my honor," Ancondil said, bowing his head to her. Before Teresa could reply he turned and called for the waitress, a plump but otherwise attractive Nibenean who took Teresa's order for dinner and returned a few moments later with a glass of wine.

"Ancondil? that's an interesting name for an orc," Teresa said, lifting the glass to her lips. The wine was sweet and fruity on her tongue, and she closed her eyes to savor the lovely taste before allowing it to slide down her throat. "I thought most Orisimer names had a 'gra' or a 'gro' in them?"

"They do," the orc said. He had stopped eating when Teresa sat, and now wiped his hands on a small cloth. "Unlike most Orisimer however, I was raised by Altmer. Hence my name."

"Really?" Teresa could not prevent her eyebrows from rising in surprise. "How did that happen?"

"I was orphaned at birth," Ancondil said, lifting the snifter of brandy in one hand and gently cupping it in his thick fingers. Taking the time to roll the glass around, he watched as the dark liquid swished around the wide-bottom of the container. "I was found on the steps of the Chapel of Arkay in Cheydinhal by their healer. Shortly afterward I was adopted by a high elf couple in the Mages Guild. They raised me as if I was their own, quite a testament to Altmer willpower I must say!"

"Oh my goodness!" Teresa nearly gasped. "Me too! Well, except for the chapel, the high elves, and everything else. I am an orphan too that is. I was raised on the streets of the Imperial City by an Imperial woman, Simplicia. They call her 'the Slow' because of how she had stonejoint for a long time."

"By the Nine, now this is quite the turn of luck is it not? That the two of us would meet at this time and place, both so far from our homes?" Ancondil declared, raising his glass in a toast. "Here is to us then, siblings in circumstance if not in blood."

Teresa allowed a faint smile to crest her features once more and raised her glass to meet his. His mention of luck made her remember kissing the statue of the old woman in the street outside. Aia had said her luck was going to change after she did so. Now she wondered if indeed it had.

She found herself liking the Orisimer. The way he spoke so well and looked so dapper in his fine velvet said he was money. Yet unlike other wealthy people he did not come across as being full of himself. Rather he seemed very down to nirn with his easy manner and quick humor.

"You stopped eating?" Teresa noticed, looking at the unfinished food on his plate.

"It would be terribly rude of me to eat before you are served," Ancondil said.

"Oh don't be silly!" Teresa exclaimed, "it will get cold! Go and eat!"

"That would be ungentlemanly to say the least," Ancondil declared. "Perhaps if you share the meal with me? The lamb is quite delicious."

"Oh no, I don't eat meat." Teresa shook her head. "You go ahead until my fish comes. I grew up on the streets, you don't have to impress me!"

"Really? you do not eat meat?" Ancondil asked with a lifted eyebrow. Teresa noted that he still made no motion to continue his meal. "When I saw you earlier at the Fighters Guild I had thought you were a huntress, come straight from the wilds of the Great Forest itself."

"I had," Teresa said, looking down at her hands. The last thing she wanted was for him to remember how she had stormed out of the Fighters Guild. She hoped she was not blushing when she forced her gaze back up to his. "But I am a gatherer, not a hunter."

"Indeed? I have never been able to pass up a good steak myself. Well, to each their own I always say." Ancondil raised his glass once more to her before taking a sip of the dark liquid. "Did your business at the Fighters Guild go well? That is if it would not be too indiscreet to inquire?"

"No," Teresa muttered. She thought about what Aia said, how the guild commander told people to their face that he did not want them. "Well, maybe not. I don't really know. How about yourself? Did you need to hire someone?"

"Oh goodness no!" Ancondil laughed. "I was there to join!"

"You were?" Teresa wondered aloud. "You don't look like someone who would need to work for the Fighters Guild?"

"Well, here is to looks being deceiving." Ancondil raised his glass once more and took a small sip. "In spite of my attire, I assure you I am personally quite destitute. It is my parents who are well-off. I came here to Bravil to make my own fortune. I would starve as a poet or a musician. On the other hand I have always been adept at breaking things."

"Did they accept you?" Teresa asked, stifling the urge to smile at his quip. She remembered her own ordeal to prove herself. What might the guild master have put Ancondil through to show his worth? she wondered.

"Yes indeed." Ancondil said with a smile. "Although I am still sore from the trials their leader inflicted upon me! I sit here before you a proud - albeit probationary - member of the Fighters Guild. At least until my background check is complete."

That caused Teresa's eyebrow to lift again. So the guild commander was doing a check on Ancondil as well, even when it was plain he was a straighter arrow than Hieronymus Lex? Then maybe the Colovian had not been lying after all, she thought, perhaps he did want her for real?

Just then Teresa's lake perch arrived, smothered in butter sauce and sprinkled with basil, and flanked by a small pile of chipped potatoes. Her stomach growled again as she breathed the aroma of the fish deep into her lungs. A moment later she was digging into the meal. She had to force herself not to rush like she usually did when she ate. Instead she took her time and tried to savor every delicious bite, as Nerussa had often chided her to do.

"Life is filled with sensual pleasures Teresa," the Altmer woman had told her once as they basked in the warm afterglow of lovemaking. "Whether it is the taste of a fine wine, a good meal, the warmth of the sun, or the soft skin of your lover under your fingers; take the time to glory in every pleasure life brings you. It is often the simplest things that make living the most delightful."

"So you mentioned being a poet and musician?" Teresa asked between bites of food.

"In my own, very modest way," Ancondil said. She was glad to see that he had started eating once more, now that her own food had arrived. "My lute is upstairs in my room. I would not be so cruel as to torture an entire room filled with people with my playing though. I am really more a fan of each really, rather than a player or writer."

"Oh, I would love to hear," Teresa said. She had never met an orc who liked poetry or music, let alone tried to play or write. Come to think of it, she had never met anyone of any race that did, aside from Nerussa and the street corner musicians in the Market District. Then she took a bite of the deep-fried chips. They were still steaming from the fryer, and she had to gulp down a mouthful of wine to cool her tongue. "Raven that is hot!"

"Careful there, that looks hot!" Ancondil exclaimed, then looked sheepish after the glance Teresa could not help but to shoot him. "I suppose you have discovered that already however…"

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jan 8 2011, 06:07 AM

[Olen]

Agreed on the whole thing about the Night Mother statue, it seemed a bit unlikely. Doing away with it is a good move, it's good to see the setting being changed more fundementally now (certainly deserved given how rich it is).

Interesting back story to Ancondil, a well spoken and mannered orc makes a novel character who is fun to read. I look forwar dto seeing what greater part he plays. Certainly his intelect and demenor go against the norm...

"Raven that is hot!"

I'm not sure I've mentioned before (though I have noticed), having Teresa swear by 'raven' is a good device. It both reinforces her religous beliefs and provides a way round the filters without seeming contrived.

So as ever good, and some wise words from Nerussa.

[Winter Wolf]

What a delighful chapter!!

I would say without question that the concept of Teresa and an Orsimer sitting down together at Bravil and swishing wine and brandy around as the most unlikely that I have ever read on these forums. Yet that is precisely why it works so well and the whole scene works with a clear resonance.

"I would starve as a poet or a musician. On the other hand I have always been adept at breaking things."
This really made me smile.

[Acadian]

To everything wise Wolf of the Winter said - ditto!

'So the guild commander was doing a check on Ancondil as well, even when it was plain he was a straighter arrow than Hieronymus Lex?'
Wonderfully put. The mention of Lex is both setting friendly as well as reminds us of Teresa's familiarity with the Waterfront and seamier side of IC. It also enforces the underlying wisdom that Pappy has earned through hard experience.

'Just then Teresa's lake perch arrived, smothered in butter sauce and sprinkled with basil, and flanked by a small pile of chipped potatoes.'
Oh, you know the way to Acadian's heart so very well! Yum! Based on the sweet, fruity taste, may I presume the wine to be Tamika's? If so, even doubly yummier with awesomesauce!

Teresa's flashback featuring Nerussa was wonderfully effective. It reminds us of why Teresa chose the lake perch. It also is a beautiful memory and perfect accompaniment to a discussion of music and poetry with her delightfully large new green friend!

'Then she took a bite of the deep-fried chips. They were still steaming from the fryer, and she had to gulp down a mouthful of wine to cool her tongue. "Raven that is hot!"
"Careful there, that looks hot!" Ancondil exclaimed, then looked sheepish after the glance Teresa could not help but to shoot him. "I suppose you have discovered that already however…"
This little exchange was perfectly played! I too enjoyed Teresa's use of 'Raven'. I could feel Ancondil mentally slapping himself on the forehead, and smiled at the unspoken flash of temper from 'Red'.

[mALX]

The first screenshot (Chapter 27.1) - is that new hair? It is beautiful! - Uh Oh, that Sappho spouting amorous Orc has noticed her.

Teresa's emotions are on a roller coaster through these last two segments - very realistic portrayal of a teen girl's around her coming of age. I get the feeling Aia will make Teresa very homesick for Simplicia.

Your ability to develop real and interesting characters is a gift, Great Write !!

[D.Foxy]

"Raven, that is hot!!"

And so is Teresa...

[SubRosa]

Olen: Ancondil is a lot of fun to write, because he so goes against conventions. He is probably the only male character I would ever consider playing.

I have been working to replace Teresa's "by Nocturnal!"s with Raven instead. For exactly the reason you stated. Although a "by Mara" still works itself in sometimes.


Winter Wolf: The funny thing - is outward appearances aside - Teresa and Ancondil have much in common. I like writing the two of them together.


Acadian: That would indeed be Tamika's. Thanks to the Blades, Teresa wants nothing else!


mALX: That is her same old hair. It is from the Corean for Original Races mod. Teresa is indeed filled with emotion, and still lacking the maturity to contain it all. That is one of the things that makes her fun to write. But probably not so fun for others to be around!


D.Foxy: Yes, but with a hot temper instead of a hot body!


Next: In our previous segment Teresa sat down to what has turned to be a very pleasant dinner with the very unusual orc Ancondil. Next she finds that he remains full of surprises.


Chapter 27.3 –The Lucky Lady

"So what were you reading?" Teresa asked, looking over at the book that sat on one side of the table. She was going to let those chips cool down before risking another bite.

Oh, that is Drels Alano, of Suran," Ancondil declared. "Dancing With Shadows, it is his most famous collection."

"Oh read me some then," Teresa said. She remembered how lovely it had sounded when Nerussa had recited poetry to her

"Well, if you insist," Ancondil said, then took a sip of brandy to clear his throat before continuing. He did not look at the book, or even touch it. Instead he stared directly into Teresa's eyes and began to speak.

"Was there even a cause too lost,
Ever a cause that was lost too long,
Or that showed with the lapse of time to vain
For the generous tears of youth and song?"

"Oh my, that was lovely," Teresa remarked. "But sad. You said you write your own too?"

"I do take a feeble stab at word-smithing from time to time, but I assure you, it is nothing fit for hearing." Ancondil insisted, lowering his gaze.

"Don't be modest, let me hear," Teresa insisted. "You speak very well. I like hearing your voice."

"Well, if you insist my lady, but only because one so fair as yourself has requested," the Orisimer said with a smile.

"We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!
Our dried voices, when
We whisper together
Are quiet and meaningless
As wind in dry grass
Or rats' feet over broken glass
In our dry cellar

Shape without form, shade without color,
Paralysed force, gesture without motion;

Those who have crossed
With direct eyes, to death's other kingdom
Remember us—if at all—not as lost
Violent souls, but only
As the hollow men
The stuffed men."

"That was amazing!" Teresa felt the urge to clap. Instead she allowed herself a faint smile as she looked at the man across from her. "You really wrote that?"

"Yes indeed." Ancondil sat up a little straighter, and his eyes sparkled at Teresa's words. "It is not finished yet however, there is more I would like to add. You really enjoyed it though?"

"I have not heard much poetry," Teresa admitted as she took a sip of wine. "But that was some of the best I have. It really is kind of dark though."

"I suppose that is what speaks to me most clearly." Ancondil shrugged. "But enough about me. What of yourself? The wild forester of Cyrodiil? You said you were a gatherer? I could not imagine living out in the wilderness myself. The ride down here from Cheydinhal was enough for me. Thank the Nine for the inns along the road. I am afraid I would not last a night without a hot fire and a glass of brandy!"

"Oh, it is not so bad," Teresa said. "I used to think the forest was daunting too, until I was in it for the first time. Then I found out it was like… coming home for the first time in my life."

"So what brings you in from the wild hinterland then?" the orc asked.

"I still like a hot fire and a glass of Tamika's too," Teresa laughed. "I have a lot of alchemical ingredients I gathered on my way here from the Imperial City that I need to brew and sell too."

"Oh, so you are an alchemist then?" Ancondil looked surprised, and continued with a grin. "I spent some time at the Arcane University myself. I was banned from the alchemy laboratory within my first week in fact. They say it took another week just to get the smell out. I thought I was the worst alchemy student they ever had, but apparently there was a Khajiit even worse than I was…"

"I'm no real alchemist either," Teresa said, thinking of all those plants in Patvir's Guide that she had never heard of before. "I just know how to make a few potions is all. But you are a mage? Shouldn't you be in the Guild of Mages instead of the Fighters?"

"You have probably heard of great magicians such as Galerion the Mystic, Lattia Direnni, or Zurin Arctus?" Ancondil declared grandly. "Well, I am nature's way of balancing out such greatness. I have never had any magical talent whatsoever. Even the simplest light spell is beyond my crude fumbling. To make matters worse, I was born under the sign of the Atronach, so I cannot even regenerate my own magicka. To be honest, I only went to the University because my parents wanted me to. Not that they were thrilled when I was asked to leave due to my abysmal performance…"

"Really?" Teresa said. Even she could cast spells. It was not all that difficult, even without being University-trained. Granted she could only cast them a few times before her magicka was exhausted, and the big spells were completely beyond her. Yet she could still use some magic. "Not even alchemy? That is just mixing things together?"

"Ahh, yes, but as you know, even alchemy requires the directed will of the practitioner in order to draw out the magical properties of the ingredients to create a potion. Otherwise you are just crushing plants." Ancondil explained. "Of course you have those natural alchemists who can just throw things together with apparently no effort at all. But even they are applying their will and focusing it into the symbol of the enchantment. They just do not realize they are doing it. Whenever my will meets anything magical, bad things happen, usually extraordinarily so I might add…"

Teresa furrowed her brow. It took applying will to mix potions? She had never done anything special before. She just picked out the right things, thought about what she wanted to make, and ground them up. Granted, smashing them all down to powder did take effort sometimes, and after hours of doing it she did feel tired and sore, as she did now. But that was just from the physical strain, was it not?

The rest of the dinner passed uneventfully, and Teresa excused herself shortly after finishing her meal. The fish weighed heavily in her belly, and her limbs felt as if they were filled with lead. After all that happened during the day she was exhausted. So much had occurred since she had come to Bravil that it was hard for her to believe that she had only come to the city in the afternoon. All she wanted to do now was sleep.

Ancondil, however, insisted to escort her to her room upstairs, in spite of her protestations. He said as a true gentleman it was his duty. Teresa had no idea what a gentleman's duty was, but was too tired to argue. It was not until she unlocked her door and turned to wish him a good night that she realized that his intentions were not entirely ceremonial after all.

His eyes had a fire in them. The kind she was starting to see more and more often in men looking at her. It was the same burning look Valerius had at the Wawent Inn, or the naked Redguard had in the legion tower. Ancondil wanted to do more than just walk her to her room, even she could see that plainly now.

Suddenly she was keenly aware of the way he towered over her, and how the body underneath all the velvet he wore bulged with muscle. Was he going to be trouble? she wondered as her heart quickened its pace.

"Ancondil, I'm not…" she started to say, but as they so often did, the words deserted her as she stared into his eyes.

"Not interested, is that it?" he finished the sentence for her, his gaze now shrouded in the flickering light of the corridor.

"It's not that I don't like you, I do." Teresa bit her lower lip as she tried to explain. "It's just that…"

"I am an orc, that is it right?" his voice was soft now. Where at dinner his words had been filled with mirth and a quiet sense of self-confidence, now they were bitter ashes.

"No, I don't care about that. I think you are wonderful," she said, hoping he would understand what she had to say. "It's just that you're a man…"

"Yes, and you are a woman," he said dryly, and for a moment Teresa saw the old Ancondil surface again. "I rather noticed both."

"No…" Teresa stammered, trying to muster the courage to say what she must. "I mean that's the problem. You're a man. I don't… feel that way about men. If you were a woman I would love to spend the evening with you, alone."

"Oh." Ancondil blinked. He looked as if a pile of bricks had fallen onto him. "You mean you… Oh my stars! What an oaf you must think I am!"

"No, not at all," Teresa said, feeling relief course through her. "I think you are one of the most amazing men I have ever met. I like being around you. That's the problem. I forget that sometimes men are attracted to me. It's not something that happens very often, believe me! So I guess I don't think about how I act sometimes, or how someone else might take it. It's all my fault really. I'm so sorry I made you think that I was, well, you know…"

"I have been such a fool," Ancondil said, stepping away from her. "Please accept my apologies. I would have never made such an idiot of myself if I had realized."

"I am sorry Ancondil," Teresa said. Now he looked so forlorn that she had to resist the urge to put her arms around him to console him. But even with as little she knew about men, she that would be the worst thing she could do. "If I were to want to be with a man, you would be the one. Believe me, you are the best one I have ever met! It's all my fault."

The orc mumbled something under his breath. The only word that Teresa could hear was 'Sappho', and she had no idea what that might mean. She watched as he retreated down the hallway and out of sight. Then the wood elf sighed and turned back to her door. Men were so complicated! she thought.


Notes- The first poem is Hannibal, by Robert Frost. The second is The Hollow Men, by T.S. Eliot.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Jan 9 2011, 04:17 AM

[Olen]

Bravo! Eliot, and The Hollow Men which is my favourite of his works, grossly underrated against The Waste Land. Good inclusion of poetry there, and a good demonstartion of Ancondil's intelect and culture.

I liked how you followed it with:

"So what brings you in from the wild hinterland then?" the orc asked.

which has a certain poetry to it and continues the idea.

He looked as if a pile of bricks had fallen onto him.

That simile is excellent. Very apt, it made me smile. A well written section with the awkwardness of them too. You showed a lot of character in Teresa which doesn't normal get exposed in this part.

even alchemy requires the directed will of the practitioner in order to draw out the magical properties of the ingredients to create a potion

Good bit of worldbuilding, sounds a bit like chemistry...

I shan't quote more lines I liked because it would be copy and pasting most of what is above. A very enjoyable part which showed more character and made a good read.

This post has been edited by Olen: Jan 8 2011, 08:08 PM

[mALX]

Uh, I think I missed the naked Redguard in the tower, how did that happen? Lol.

That could have ended up being a bad scene if Ancondil had not been the gentleman and backed down (albeit disgruntled). Hopefully Teresa learned a hard lesson the easy way - not to let gentlemen walk her to her room unless they are punier than her skinny red-headed elf self - situations like that could have ended a lot differently. Another great chapter!

[Grits]

Where at dinner his words had been filled with mirth and a quiet sense of self-confidence, now they were bitter ashes.

and then

"No…" Teresa stammered, trying to muster the courage to say what she must.

I am very impressed with Teresa. It would have been so easy for her to let Ancondil just walk away thinking the wrong thing, but she showed him compassion at the expense of her own comfort. What a day for her!!

[hazmick]

I have missed a couple of great chapters. An Altmer in an orc's body? Brilliant! That very same Mer getting the wrong end of ths stick? Bravo! Teresa being kind to the soul she has just crushed? Inspired! Hazmick running out of words?...Yes! Some beautiful poetry (and food) selections as well. Awesome write!

[Jacki Dice]

Men were so complicated! she thought.

So very true! Just as complicated as women sometimes! -huff-

Poor Ancondil though. I'd feel just as discouraged and embarrassed if I were in his place! At least he was gentlemanly about it

[Acadian]

For mALX's question regarding the naked Redguard. *Acadian raises his hand* I recall that happened when Teresa went to the watch tower to visit the recuperating Vols after his massive injuries that happened in Jensine's store. The cheeky Redguard said to Teresa, "See something you like?"


This episode was full of wonderful interaction. You painted both characters so well here. I'm very proud of Teresa.

"So what brings you in from the wild hinterland then?" the orc asked.
"I still like a hot fire and a glass of Tamika's too," Teresa laughed.
Perfectly aligned priorities, Teresa! Add a hot bath and we're there!

'Men were so complicated! she thought.'
Only to young wood nymphs it seems.


'but apparently there was Khajiit even worse than I was…"
Question: Is this a reference to our fiery, furry mage, Maxical?
Nit? Did you perhaps mean a Khajiit? I considered whether you meant numerous Khajiit (my stylesheet uses Khajiit for both the singular and plural), but if you meant multiple Khajiit, I might have expected a 'were' instead of a 'was'. I'm not positive if my concern is legit or simply misunderstanding. Regardless, offered for your consideration.

[D.Foxy]

"Oh." Ancondil blinked. He looked as if a pile of bricks had fallen onto him. "You mean you… Oh my stars! What an oaf you must think I am!"


Ah, it is true....when one is a sexual minority - of the gay type - in a straight majority world and culture, then misunderstandings like these frequently happen...and just to make things more complicated, there is also the question of race too...

That 'pile of bricks' moment has hit us all at one time or another in life!